Now It's On

Prince Releases New Single to Kick-Off Welcome 2 Canada Tour

Prince has dipped into his vaunted Vault and re-worked a legendary unreleased track as a surprise single release to kick off his Welcome 2 Canada Tour that starts this week. "Extraloveable" was originally recorded back in 1982  and has long been a bootlegged fan favorite. This is a newly recorded 2011 version featuring Prince's latest band-mate Andy Allo.

"Extraloveable" is currently only available via iTunes in Canada to coincide with the start of his Canadian tour. The Welcome 2 Canada run starts this Friday, November 25th in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre for a pair of weekend dates. Nine other dates are currently scheduled, including stops in Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. The December 5th London, Ontario date will be the closest venue to Metro Detroit, and I know of a number of Michiganders making the trek to get funky with Prince and the NPG as we still wait for some Welcome 2 Detroit dates (hint, hint). 

Although nothing is concrete at this time, expect to hear news of Canadian aftershows being scheduled soon. Be sure to check the Dr. Funkenberry.com site for up to the minute breaking news on any potential aftershows and all credit to the good Doc for breaking the story on the "Extraloveable" release this morning.   

For those in Canada, "Extraloveable" can be purchased via iTunes here.  

Single Review: Shapes Stars Make "Into His Ghost"

Dallas based Shapes Stars Make return with a new single, and a new drummer, with their first release since last year's full length "These Mountains Are Safe". The single "Into His Ghost" has been released via the band's Bandcamp page as a 'name your price' download, meaning it's technically free, but the option to throw something their way in exchange for new music is there.

This marks the first recording new drummer Stephen Hudson appears on. Hudson also engineered and mixed the track. "These Mountains Are Safe" was among the many fine releases of 2010, and you can find my enthusiastic review of it here. The new single continues in the direction of that album, with singing guitars, a melodic vocal by Michael Gooden and the powerful drumming of Hudson.   

The trio of Gooden, Hudson and Jon Cook plan to continue to record new material, as well as hit the road for some shows in the fall. Hopefully another full length album is in the works for the future. You can download or stream the track below.

New Bell X1 Single & Video: "Velcro"

The new album from my favorite Irish rockers Bell X1 is fast approaching and the first single release is now here. "Velcro" is the first single from the upcoming "Bloodless Coup", out in the U.S. April 12 on Yep Roc Records. Those who were lucky enough to catch the band's acoustic tour last year were treated to a stripped down version of this one. A killer buzzy keyboard and bass line drive the studio version along before a big conclusion. Another great track from Paul Noonan and company.

Here are the videos for both "Velcro" and another track from the new album, "Hey Anna Lena", that leave me very anxious for "Bloodless Coup". Bell X1 made a breakthrough in the States with their last release, "Blue Lights On The Runway" and the hit "The Great Defector". I'm liking the direction of these new tracks even more than 'Blue Lights' and I was a huge fan of that record to begin with. Top notch.

Single Review: Weaver At The Loom "Reconstructor"

If you're not familiar with Weaver At The Loom, you should be. Their 2007 EP "I Was Searching And I Found" was one of my favorite releases of that year, and brought them almost universal praise from anyone who reviewed it. It seemed this band was on the verge of something big with such a strong debut release. 

However, as best can be described on the Weaver At The Loom Facebook page, a lot happened to them  from the time that EP was released to today. To sum it up, the Minnesota based band grew from three members to five for their final tour in 2009, before they literally became stranded in Louisiana for a month due to a broken down van, draining their finances to eventually get home. Upon returning, the realities that do in many an indie band reared their ugly heads and the band was down to two members, Izaac Burkhart and songwriter and vocalist Dan Smith. 

The two tried to make things work as a duo but eventually agreed to part ways with Smith, who started the band, continuing to record under the name as a solo artist. So that brings us to "Reconstructor", the first new music from Weaver At The Loom in four years. 

"Reconstructor" is a two song single, more of a preview for the next EP Smith is working on. Both tracks are engineered and produced by Burkhart, so the band's sound that endeared them to so many has not been lost. "11 1/2 (My Favorite Age)" carries on with their atmospheric rock and Smith's incredibly soothing vocals. It's great to hear this voice on new music again. There is a bit of a stuttering electronic beat behind the live drumming, but other than that this song could have easily fit on the debut EP.

Second song, "We're Wild Animals (We Always Were)" is a slower track, carrying on the melodic rock Smith seems to have perfected. There is again a mix of electronic and live drums and prominent guitar work once the song kicks in. 

It's only a two song teaser, but "Reconstructor" proves Weaver At The Loom lives on in Smith's hands. He promises to have an EP finished by the summer and these two tracks indicate the long wait for new music was worth it. I'm very happy to see Smith has carried on and look forward to what he is in store later this year. Here is to perseverance.

"Reconstructor" was released as a digital download only in the U.S. on January 14, 2011.

Weaver At The Loom on Facebook

Purchase "Reconstructor" from Amazon.com

Purchase "Reconstructor" from iTunes

New George Michael Single "True Faith"

This one is sure to be divisive. George Michael covers New Order and goes Auto-Tune crazy in the process. First off, I'm glad to see something new from George because that means he is in the news for his music again instead of for his ridiculous drug and drink fueled antics. The man is simply too talented for all that nonsense, and here's to hoping all of that is behind him and there is more new music to come.

So what have we here? Well first off, this is a charity single for Comic Relief in the UK, so its tough for me to sit here and slag it off completely. It's unfair to compare it to the original, as New Order's is a classic, plain and simple. George has certainly put a new spin on it, slowing it down and giving it quite a somber, yet somehow uplifting take. The Auto-Tune is bothersome to me, for someone with such an amazing voice, it seems unnecessary. Imagine this arrangement with George delivering the vocal in his pure voice. It would have been preferred. Here is the official video you can judge for yourself.

Still, I hope legendary lyrics like "I used to think that the day would never come/I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun/ My morning sun is the drug that brings me near/to the childhood I lost, replaced be fear" prove prophetic and that George Michael has turned his life around. He's one of the great pop music talents of our time and hopefully some new, original music is on the horizon.   

"True Faith" has not been released in the U.S. at this time. It was released digitally in the UK and Europe March 13, and physically March 14, 2011.

Official Website of George Michael 

George Michael on Twitter

Purchase an Import copy of "True Faith" from Amazon.co.uk

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. "Morning Thought"

Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.'s debut album, "It's A Corporate World", has been pushed back to a June 7th release date, here's something to tide you over. The first single from the Detroit duo's first full length. "Morning Thought" expands on the framework first shown on the EP "Horse Power". The electronic beats are still here, but so are the brilliant pop sensibilities that Detroit music lovers admire Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott for. Zott handles the lead here, with Epstein on backing vocals. It's no wonder this project has gotten so much well deserved national attention. Two of this area's finest songwriters, a much anticipated release.   

"It's A Corporate World" will be released June 7, 2011 on Quite Scientific Records.

 

New Bell X1 - "Hey Anna Lena"

One of my favorites, Irish rockers Bell X1, have released the first preview of their forthcoming fifth album,(and third U.S. release), "Bloodless Coup" with the track "Hey Anna Lena". Continuing with some of the electronic sounds the band explored on 2009's Stateside breakthrough "Blue Lights On The Runway", this track starts with a sparse drum machine beat before piano, bass and Paul Noonan's voice start to join in. 

What might sound underwhelming at first starts to build at about the 2:30 mark, until the song kicks into full fledged loveliness with an explosion of atmospheric keyboards and Noonan's soaring vocal work. Very effective and an enticing preview for one of my many most anticipated releases of 2011. "Bloodless Coup" will be released April 12, 2011 in the U.S. on Yep Roc Records. Enjoy the song below. Hey Anna Lena by Bell X1

The Silent Years Offer First Glimpse at Spider Season

Head on over to their MySpace page and you can check out the first official taste of The Silent Years' long delayed, but still forthcoming, third full length album "Spider Season". The band has put up the new track "The River" as of today as the first sampling of the new album. The song is yet another new direction for the band, almost acapella with harmonized backing vocals, claps, whistles and a near calypso feel.

Originally scheduled for release this spring, "Spider Season" has been left in limbo as the band worked to get out of their recording deal with SideCho Records. Once that was taken care of, the next hurdle was finding a new label to release the anticipated album. However, Josh Epstein announced onstage last month at the DIY Street Fair in Ferndale, that search appears to be over. 

No official word on a release date or the label releasing it just yet, but it appears it will be sometime in early 2011.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Live at KEXP

Detroit's own Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott) are currently out on the road for their first tour, garnering more critical claim and plenty of attention. While in Seattle, the duo stopped at legendary radio station KEXP for an in-studio performance.  

That performance is now up streaming on KEXP's website. They play three of the four songs off their   "Horse Power" EP but, even more of interest, is their performance of Gil Scott-Heron's "We Almost Lost Detroit". Even though the 1966 partial meltdown at the Fermi nuclear power plant is the inspiration behind this song, it takes on a whole new meaning given so many of Detroit's current woes. A really cool performance.  

You can stream the entire performance here on KEXP's website. The band return home to play the DIY Festival in Ferndale Saturday, September 18 at 4:45PM. Look for a recap here at Now It's On.

The Juliets Debut Album Now Available on CD

I've been raving about The Juliets here on Now It's On since I first saw them live last year, and their self titled debut album still sits near the top of my favorite 2010 releases.

The album has been available since February 26th from their Bandcamp site, but there is now great news for those, like me, who still prefer physical release. "The Juliets" has now been released on CD, thanks to Flat Response Sound. 

The band are working on new material, and have been playing some new songs live, for a planned 2011 sophomore release. Do not miss out on their magical debut. The CD can be ordered here.